Drivers press for TRO vs PUVMP as arrest of 'colorum' PUVs looms

Two days before the government starts apprehending “colorum” public utility vehicles (PUVs), jeepney drivers and operators on Tuesday once again held a protest rally before the Supreme Court (SC) against the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP). 

During the rally, MANIBELA chairperson Mar Valbuena called on the high court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the PUVMP and hold oral arguments to hear their side.

“Sa ating Korte Suprema, huwag tayong magbingi-bingihan, huwag tayo magbulag-bulagan. Tignan natin ang nakakarami. Ang higit na nakakarami na mamamayang Pilipino na ngayon ay naghihikahos,” Valbuena said.

(To our Supreme Court, don’t pretend you don’t hear us, don’t close your eyes, and look at the majority. The majority of Filipino people who are now having difficulty.)

Valbuena stressed that PUVs that refused to consolidate for the PUVMP but continue to operate would be apprehended starting Thursday, May 16. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board  (LTFRB) said unconsolidated PUVs would be considered “colorum.”

Colorum is a term embedded in the Filipino transportation lexicon to mean “vehicles that operate without the necessary permits or proper authorization from relevant government agencies.”

Under the PUVMP, jeepney drivers and operators must join or form cooperatives. They may also apply for new franchises but as part of transport cooperatives.

The program, which started in 2017, aims to replace jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution and replace PUVs that are not roadworthy by the standards of the Land Transportation Office.

“Sana ay magbaba ng TRO… Kailangan nang suspindihin itong programa ng PUVMP sa kadahilanang marami nang nagpatotoo na ang programa ay palpak, nagkakandalugi at walang mga pyesa at mahihina ang mga sasakyan. Isang batayan yan upang ang program ay itigil,” said Ruben "Bong" Baylon, deputy secretary of transport group PISTON.

(I hope they will issue a TRO… the program should be suspended because many people have proven it to be faulty, and drivers are losing their earnings. This is one of the reasons why the program must be stopped.)

In December 2023, several individuals filed a petition before the SC asking for a TRO or a  writ of preliminary injunction against issuances related to the PUVMP.

On May 2, days after the April 30 deadline for their consolidation, the Supreme Court said the petition was still under deliberations.

Meanwhile, Valbuena also said they are banking on the promises given to them by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. 

“Sinisingil ka namin ngayon Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr. Nasaan ang ipinangako mo? Na majority sa mga driver at operator ay ibinoto ka at ipinagkatiwala sayo ang kanilang kabuhayan, ang kanilang hanap buhay, at ang kinabukasan ng kanilang mga pamilya. Nasaan ka na ngayon?” Valbuena said.

(We are asking you now President Bongbong Marcos. Where are your promises? That majority of drivers and operators voted for you and trusted you with their livelihoods, their jobs, and the future of their families. Where are you now?) —KBK, GMA Integrated News